Overview
Deep in the heart of the Himalayas, is this spectacular ' Valley of Flowers'. Many varieties of Himalayan wild flowers bloom here. Post monsoons, the floor of the valley is covered with a carpet of myriad colours ! It is an awesome sight of colours with a contrasting back drop of majestic peaks.
Valley of Flowers "Foolon ki Ghati" is one of those beautiful trekking expeditions that can be enjoyed during the monsoon season. It is flawlessly nestled in the West Himalayan region of Uttarakhand and lies at a lofty height of 3600 m above sea level. With an opportunity to spot the very rare blue Primula, the Valley Of Flowers trek is one of the best-known treks in the world.
The Valley of Flowers is also believed to be the place from where Hanuman brought the magical herb to resuscitate Lakshman in the Hindu epic Ramayan. Just as you set your foot into the valley, the intoxicating mix of fragrances emitted from the flowers makes you feel in a paradise. The hidden lake at the height of 14,400 ft, creates a hidden coop for numerous species of wildflowers like the saxifrages, sedums, lilies, poppy, calendulas, daisies, geranium, zinnia, and petunia.
Itinerary
Day 1Pick From Haridwar to Joshimath
The trek to Valley of Flowers (VOF) and Hemkund starts a little beyond Joshimath at a pilgrim hamlet called Govind Ghat. The drive is spectacular and along the Shrinagar , Ganga, Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. En route visit at Devprayag. The historical town is situated on the confluence of river Alaknanda & Bhagirathi River which makes the holy Ganges. Leave Haridwar or Rishikesh early in the morning and travel along River Alakananda on the Badrinath highway. The journey from Haridwar to Joshimath takes about 10 hours. Night in camps at joshimath.
Day 2 Joshimath To Govind Ghat To Ghangria
Distance - 20km Drive/13km Trek
Time Taken - 45min Drive/6-7 hrs Trek
After breakfast drive to Govind Ghat (20 km and 45 minutes away). The treks to VOF and Hemkund have a common trail till Ghangria. Start trekking to reach Ghangaria(3049 mt / 14 km Trek) with packed lunch. Ghangaria is also known as GOVIND DHAM, It is the base camp for visiting Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers. The 13 km trek from Govind Ghat to Ghangria goes all the way along the river. The trek takes 6-7 hours and you approach a tabular land.
Day 3 Ghangria To Hemkund And Back To Ghangria
Distance - 7km
Time taken - 6-7hrs
Early in the morning start trekking (7 Km) to reach "HEMKUND SAHIB". One of the most revered of all Sikh Shrines, The Hemkund Sahib, the World’s Highest Gurudwara, is situated at an altitude of 4,329 mts. An hour of stiff climbing brings you to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. The lake lies just behind it. The Hemkund Sahib lake remains frozen for six months. Warm yourself in the Gurudwara and have generous helpings of hot tea and khichdi.
Walk around to the other side of the Hemkund Lake. The lake exudes an aura of peace and serenity. It’s crystal clear, undisturbed and reflects mountains in it. The lake with crystal clear water , set amidst tall mountains and reflecting them and the Gurudwara is some sight to watch. Around Hemkund, the Himalayan flower, Brahma Kamal grows abundantly.
Leave Hemkund by early afternoon. The walk down can be strenuous on the knees and toes. It takes 4- 5 hours to walk down the 7 kms. Evening is free for rest & relaxation. Overnight stay.
Day 4 Ghangria To Valley Of Flowers And Back To Ghangria
Distance - 6km
Time Taken- 6-7hrs
Leave Ghangria early (6 am) to give yourself the whole day to spend at Valley of Flowers. The trail splits in less than a kilometre and there is a gate to buy entry tickets to the valley.
The valley is really a botanists’ dreamland. The valley stretches 5-7 km further, until it ends with a glacier visible at a distance. The stream flows all the way through the valley. Carry packed lunch from Ghangria on the Valley of Flowers trek day. There is no food available in the valley and overnight camping isn’t allowed either. Plan your return along the same path by early afternoon.
The afternoon sun falling on the valley from a different direction, gives a whole new perspective to the same place you saw in the morning.
Day 5 Ghangria To Govindghat
Start early by 6 am to be down at Govind Ghat by 11 am. Once you reach Govind Ghat, choose to proceed to Badrinath/Joshimath-Auli* or stay back at Govind Ghat and leave the next day.
Day 6Govind Ghat to Haridwar
Drive down to Haridwar. It is advised that you keep a buffer day because the weather in the mountains is unpredictable. Rest at Haridwar for the night. You can explore Haridwar the next day and take a train to Delhi when convenient.
Cost Terms
COSTS INCLUDES:
All transfers in shared taxi right from PICKUP POINTS to DROP POINTS
Permits and Entrance fees.
Accommodation in tents on share basis during trekking.
All meals, { from BASE CAMP to BASE CAMP} Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Tea, Coffee, Sneaks, Soup, Dinner, after dinner hot Chocolate, lemon tea. etc!
All camping gear including tents and sleeping mattress. Liner,Kitchen tent, Dining tent and toilet tent.
Good Experience Hindi/ English guide, cooks and porters, mules.
Insurance of Himal Trek & Tour staff.
COSTS EXCLUDES:
Personal Insurance.
Personal toiletry Items.
Personal Medicine kit.
Meals during transit.
Charges of mules/poerters carrying extra luggage. (Rs 300/per bag payable to Himal Trek & Tour Personnel at the base camp ).
PAYMENT POLICY:
A) 46 days or more before date of departure: 25% of total cost.
B) 31- 45 days before date of departure: 50% of total cost.
C) 30 days before date of departure: 100% of total cost.
IMPORTANT: The booking stands liable to be cancelled if 100% payment is not received less than 30 days before date of departure.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
For the cancellation of trek services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reasons, we must be notified of the same in writing:
*CANCELLATION CHARGES PER PERSON
a) 30 days or more before the departure date: 25% of the total cost.
b) 29 - 20 days before the departure date: 50% of total cost.
c) Less than 20 days before the departure day: 100% of the total cost.
d) Cancellation less than 10 days to the start of the trek: Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund.
*IF WE CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY
We do plan the arrangements in advance. It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your travel arrangements.
Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. If there are any changes, we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date. We also reserve the right under any circumstances to cancel you travel arrangements by assigning reasons to you.
If we are unable to provide the booked travel arrangements due to reasons beyond control ( e.g. bad weather, insufficient bookings) we shall first try to offer alternative dates for the tour if the tour has'nt already commenced. If the alternate arrangement does not suit you, we will refund the amount in full.
NOTE:
1)- Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch.
2)- In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/ she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by Himal Trek & Tour .
3)- Himal Trek & Tour holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice.
Cancellation is processed only by email intimation. Please email any cancellation requests to :- info@himaltrekntour.com call us @ +91-9411134405 Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. "Himal Trek & Tour" reserves the right to change expedition dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which Himal Trek & Tour or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. Himal Trek & Tour reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
Please Note
*Written cancellation will be accepted on working days (only). Any cancellation sent on a Sunday or any National Holiday(s), will be considered on the next official working day.
*In the event of any cancellation(s) after trip commencement, there will be no refunds and any costs incurred due to this cancellation will be borne by you.
Irrespective of when a trip is booked, the above condition will hold true.
HOW TO REACH
By Air :-
Jolly Grant Airport is the airport serving Dehradun, located about 48 km from the Haridwar. There is a daily flight from Delhi for Dehradun.
By Train:-
From Delhi -DDN NZM AC EXPRESS (2205)
From Kolkata- Doon Express (13009)
From Mumbai- Dehradun Express (19019)
From Chennai- Dehardun express (12687)
By Road:-
By road, Haridwar is well connected with major destinations of the country.
NH72 connects Haridwar to Nahan (125 km) to the north-west, and thereon to Panchkula, Chandi-garh and Shimla.
NH 72 terminates at Dehardun, which is at 54km from Haridwar.
Haridwar is located at a distance of 235 km from Delhi.
NH72A links Haridwar to NH58 at Roorkee (35 km) and thereon south to Meerut (170 km) and Delhi (235 km).
There is regular bus service from Delhi for Haridwar from Delhi's ISBT Kashmere Gate.
HIMAL TREK & TOUR GUIDELINES
DO’S AND DON’TS ON A TREK
1.Alcohols or any other intoxicating products "STRICTLY PROHIBHITED" during the trek.
2.Always pay heed to the trek guides or instructors.
3.Try not to leave the group under any circumstances.
4.Avoid trekking during the nights as it is extremely dangerous.
5.Avoid using earphones as that might hinder your hearing.
6.Do not participate or encourage littering of the places in any form.
7.While visiting the local villages and tourist sites, obey the local guidelines and instructions.
8.Do not harm or interrupt the local sentiments of the places.
IMPORTANT:
Your safety is of paramount concern while travelling with Himveer Tour & Trek.
Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
Since adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.